Our First "Fishy Feeling" Of 2014...

[Nelly]

Hot on the heels of a great Columbia River Spring Chinook forecast (Over 100,000 more than '13) comes this wonderful news!


COLUMBIA RIVER FALL CHINOOK
2013 PRELIMINARY RETURNS AND
OUTLOOK FOR 2014


•Total fall Chinook returns to the Columbia River in 2013 were predicted to be 677,900 adults. Actual total returns exceeded 1.2 million Chinook.

•All stocks appear to have exceeded expectations except the Bonneville Bright stock which came in as predicted.

•Both bright and tule stock jack returns were above average.

2014 Outlook

•Bright stocks should be strong – above average and similar to 2013.

•Tule stocks appear to be less than average, but improving.

•Total return may be similar to 2013 actual returns.


Columbia River Coho

•2013 return less than predicted.

•Jack returns were much improved over the last few years.


I

[Rock]

Tule stocks?... not sure what that means.

[Nelly]

Sorry Rock,
Columbia River chinook fisheries are broken down into different stocks of fish which originate from the various regions of the Big C's vast drainage.
The Tule stocks are generally lower river, quickly maturing chinook which are lagging behind in the recovery department.
You hear the term URB or "Upriver Bright" thrown around and as the name would imply these stocks arrive in their natal or spawning area in very good shape...which mean that they are absolutely phenomenal eating when caught in the lower river also known as the "Bouy 10" fishery in August.

[Robbo]

I think we're in store for another kick ass salmon run in 2014 there buddy. With the number of fish they're seeing on the winter troll grounds in Alaska things are looking really positive for this next year

[Rock]

Ya I have Definitely heard that term before but not tule. So it always good to add something to my fishing vocab. First thing I have learned on Friday the 13th. Looking to find out whats next.